[Late results of cholelitholytic therapy of patients with cholelithiasis using chenodeoxycholic and ursodeoxycholic acids].

Specially selected 78 patients with cholelithiasis received drugs of chenodeoxycholic and ursodeoxycholic acids. Concomitant cardiovascular disorders were in 38 of them. Upon the end of the treatment course (12 months, on the average) the patients were examined and it was found that the stones disappeared in 22 of them. Follow-up evidence is available for 18 of these. Choleliths redeveloped in 9 patients (in 11 months, on the average). Of those who got free of choleliths nobody had relapses for 4.5 years. Various methods used in them to prevent lithogeny (diet, drugs) provided no evidence in favour of one of them. 9 patients with recurrent cholelithiasis after cholelitholytic therapy had no gallstone colic for 4.5 years of the follow-up. Considering the fact that preparations from cheno- and ursodeoxycholic acids are effective in only part of the patients, they seem preferable in patients with concomitant disorders (cardiovascular, etc.) to avoid a high operative risk.